Care of Hoya

Farming methods

Soil requirements

Hoya likes fertile, breathable, well-drained soil, and does not like very sticky soil. It is best to choose loose, fertile, slightly acidic humus soil for potted plants. You can add an appropriate amount of vermiculite to the soil, or apply some superphosphate as base fertilizer, or you can use 7 parts of leaf mold mixed with 3 parts of coarse sand as the culture medium, the effect is very good.

Watering method

The leaves of Hoya are fleshy and contain a lot of water. When cultivating, it is necessary to ensure that they are kept moist and do not accumulate water. Too much watering will cause root rot, but too dry will affect growth, so water when the soil is dry and when the soil is wet. In midsummer, ensure sufficient water, increase watering appropriately, and spray water on the leaves frequently to increase air humidity. In autumn and winter, the temperature drops and the growth gradually slows down. At this time, you should reduce watering to once every two weeks.

Light intensity

Ball orchid likes scattered light and semi-shaded environment. When caring for the ball orchid at home, place it on a south-facing windowsill in spring and autumn to ensure that the leaves are green; in summer, move the ball orchid to a shaded place indoors to avoid direct sunlight, otherwise it will easily cause the leaves to turn yellow. But it cannot be over-shaded. If there is insufficient light for a long time, the leaves will become dull and the flowers will be few and not bright.

Temperature requirements

Hoya is cold-resistant, and the most suitable temperature for its growth is 15~28℃. It can also grow well in high temperature environment. The ball orchid will enter a dormant state in winter. At this time, the ball orchid should be placed in a cool and slightly dry environment to allow it to fully dormant. The dormant temperature should be controlled at around 10℃. If it is below 5℃, it will easily get frostbite, which will then cause leaf fall and even death of the whole plant.

Fertilization method

The main fertilizers for fertilizing Hoya are organic fertilizers or compound fertilizers. Fertilize 1 to 2 times a month during the peak growing season. Choose a thin cake fertilizer water that combines nitrogen and phosphorus. At other times, because it grows slowly, fertilization should be reduced or stopped to avoid fertilizer damage. In summer, you can appropriately increase the frequency of fertilization and increase the content of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote better bud formation and flowering.

Timely pruning

During the growth process of the ball orchid, it is necessary to pinch the top in time to promote better germination of new branches, and set up the flower stand in time to promote its upward climbing growth. When the ball orchid is about to wither, do not cut off the flower stems, let it fall naturally. Because the flowers of the Hoya will sprout at the same place on the flower stem in the second year, if the flower stem is cut off, it will affect the number of flowers of the Hoya.

Precautions

Do not move the flower pots randomly

For Hoya that is in bloom, do not move the flowerpot frequently, otherwise it will easily cause buds and flowers to fall off. After the flowers fall, protect the flower stems to promote flowering next year.

Pest and disease control

Hoya is an ornamental flowering and foliage plant with emerald green leaves that are of great ornamental value. However, some diseases and pests may appear during the maintenance process, affecting the appearance. Common diseases and pests include anthracnose, rot disease, and leaf spot disease. Spray the pesticide in time after the disease is discovered.